The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs Team Sonnen S33E08

The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs. Team Sonnen – Episode 8 Recap

Season: 33
Episode: 8
Air Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET (streaming on ESPN+ and airing on ESPN2)
Location: UFC Apex Training Facility, Las Vegas, NV (filmed), broadcast via ESPN studios

Episode 8 Fight Result & Highlights

🔹 Welterweight Quarterfinal

Rodrigo Sezinando (Team Cormier) def. Diego Bianchini (Team Sonnen) – Unanimous Decision (2 Rounds)

• A tactical bout saw Sezinando use ground control and top pressure to secure the win. Bianchini landed early strikes, but Sezinando’s wrestling dominance proved decisive.

Updated Semifinal Matchups

Flyweight Division

• Alibi Idiris (Team Cormier) vs. Roybert Echeverria (Team Sonnen)

• Imanol Rodriguez (Team Cormier) vs. Joseph Morales (Team Sonnen)

Welterweight Division

• Daniil Donchenko (Team Cormier) vs. Matt Dixon (Team Sonnen)

• Jeff Creighton (Team Cormier) vs. Rodrigo Sezinando (Team Cormier)

Episode Preview Recap

Episode 8 continued to shift momentum toward Team Cormier, who now lead the season 5–3.
Rodrigo Sezinando’s gritty decision win over Diego Bianchini closed out the quarterfinals and locked in all four semifinal pairings.

Key Moments:

• Heavy grappling and cage control from Sezinando dominated Round 2.

• Tension rose in both camps as semifinal matchups were revealed.

• The coaching dynamic between Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen remained intense but focused.

With semifinal spots now confirmed, expect emotions, pressure, and stakes to rise dramatically in the upcoming episodes.

Episode Conclusion

• Team Cormier pulls ahead in the series with a 5–3 advantage.

• Sezinando’s win finalizes the semifinal brackets in both flyweight and welterweight divisions.

• Fighters now prepare for the toughest tests yet—one step from a UFC contract.